Are Mortgage Loans Public Record and What You Need to Know

Mortgage loans are indeed a matter of public record, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone can see them.

In the United States, mortgage loans are recorded with the county where the property is located, typically in the county recorder's office. This is because the government needs to keep track of property ownership and transactions.

Most states require mortgage lenders to file a mortgage deed with the county recorder's office, which becomes a public record. This deed typically includes the borrower's name, the lender's name, the property address, and the loan amount.

The public can access these records, but they might not always be easily searchable.

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Public records are documents and information that are open to the public and can be accessed by anyone.

They are typically maintained by government agencies and are used to provide a permanent and public record of events, transactions, and other activities.

In the United States, public records are governed by the Freedom of Information Act, which requires government agencies to make records available to the public upon request.

Public records can include property records, court documents, and other types of information.

These records are often used by researchers, journalists, and the general public to access information about a particular location, person, or event.

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Accessing public records is a straightforward process. You can start by visiting your county recorder's office or registry of deeds, where the mortgage or deed of trust portion of your mortgage note should be filed.

To find the information you need, you'll typically have to pay a small fee for copies. The recorder's office may still have a copy of your note, or they can steer you in the right direction if not.

You can also access public records online by visiting the clerk's official website and downloading the mortgage documents. Enter the homeowner's information as the form requires, and pay any necessary fees.

Public mortgage records are a treasure trove of information, including the property's legal description, address, lender, mortgage amount, and other details related to the property.

Here are some key details that are typically public record:

By accessing public records, you can gain valuable insights into a property's history, including previous sales, listings, and the price for which the property was listed/sold in the past.

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If you're really interested in a property, you can dig deeper by searching mortgage records with the county where the property is located. Most counties now have a digital version of their records for easy viewing.

You can locate the county's clerk's office or public records website to conduct your search. Some online systems will only be available between certain hours.

A basic search is usually free, but some counties charge a small fee for access or "premium" access, which may allow you to check the status of documents and to print documents.

ICE provides comprehensive, nationwide public property records data from over 3,100 county recorder offices across the U.S.

This data is collected directly from the source, which means it's more reliable and up-to-date than other sources. By collecting data directly from the source, ICE is able to apply stringent quality control measures.

As a result, professionals can have a high degree of confidence in the data they receive from ICE.